US-Iran Tensions Escalate, Strait of Hormuz Becomes New Battleground
The United States (US) has moved swiftly after peace negotiations with Iran failed. President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy Iranian ships that approach.
This latest tension erupted after marathon talks in Pakistan failed to produce a final agreement. Trump had previously claimed that most points had been agreed upon, but the discussions collapsed because Iran refused to yield on its nuclear programme.
Trump then announced the blockade order against the strategic shipping route.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the best in the world, will begin the process of blockading every and any ship attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, as reported by AFP news agency on Sunday (12/4/2026).
“Any Iranian who shoots at us, or at peaceful ships, will be blown to hell!” he added.
US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan without an agreement after weekend talks with the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The Tehran delegation was also accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The talks had previously aimed to strengthen a two-week ceasefire while reaching a final agreement to end the conflict.
Iran Unfazed by US Threats
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasised that his country would not bow to Trump’s threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
“If they fight, we will fight, and if they present logical arguments, we will counter with logic. We will not submit to any threats; let them test our resolve again so we can give them a greater lesson,” Ghalibaf told reporters after returning to Tehran from Islamabad, as reported by Al Arabiya on Monday (13/4/2026).
Head of the Iranian Navy Shahram Irani described Trump’s blockade threat as “ridiculous”.
“The brave soldiers of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy are monitoring and observing all aggressive US military movements in the area. The US President’s threat to blockade Iran at sea… is utterly ridiculous and laughable,” Irani stated, as quoted by Tehran state television.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any military vessel approaching the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a violation of the ceasefire and would be dealt with “harshly and decisively”.
The IRGC also affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian Navy control but remains open to non-military vessels in accordance with applicable rules.
Iran Labels US Criminal
Iran’s military condemned the US sea blockade plan, which began to be enforced on Monday (13/4) local time. Tehran described the move as illegal and akin to piracy in international waters.
“The criminal restrictions imposed by America on navigation and maritime transit in international waters are illegal and constitute an act of piracy,” stated Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya military command centre, as reported by AFP on Monday (13/4/2026).
Iran also warned of serious impacts on regional security.
“If the security of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ports in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea is threatened, no port in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea will be safe,” the statement emphasised.
The warning came after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the blockade of all Iranian ports starting Monday (13/4) local time.
CENTCOM stated that the blockade applies to ships from all countries entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
However, the US emphasised that it would not impede ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian ports. Further instructions for sailors were said to be forthcoming.
Trump Threatens to Destroy Iranian Ships
Trump issued further harsh threats against Iran amid international calls for both sides to exercise restraint and resume negotiations.
As reported by AFP on Monday (13/4/2026), the US military stated that the blockade was scheduled to begin at 14:00 GMT and would apply to ships leaving or intending to dock at Iranian ports. However, after that time passed, there was no official announcement that the policy had been fully implemented.
In a social media post, Trump claimed that most of Iran’s naval forces had been destroyed during the conflict. He also warned that remaining Iranian ships approaching the blockade area would be promptly neutralised.